Lead AI Engineer

We are searching for a skilled, innovation-driven Lead AI Engineer to join our team and spearhead the development of cutting-edge Generative AI solutions. If you're passionate about artificial intelligence and adept at building systems that deliver measurable business impact, this opportunity is ideal for you. You will work with a dynamic group of professionals to create and deploy AI-driven technologies that tackle real-world challenges — all within a highly collaborative, supportive, and forward-focused environment. As a technical leader, you won't just write code; you will shape our AI technical roadmap, architect complex enterprise-grade systems, act as a trusted advisor to our clients, and mentor and grow a high-performing engineering team. If you love Python, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and driving innovation at the intersection of AI strategy and software craftsmanship, we want to hear from you! Responsibilities Drive technical vision and architecture by leading the design and implementation of highly scalable, robust enterprise AI applications, including complex multi-agent workflows, custom search engines, and end-to-end AI systemsPartner closely with clients and business stakeholders to translate business goals into technical roadmaps and recommend high-impact, feasible LLM-driven solutionsEstablish engineering standards by setting the benchmark for code quality, architectural patterns, robust data pipelines, smart prompt management, and automated evaluation frameworksFoster a culture of learning and high performance through design reviews, development best practices, and active mentorship of junior and senior developersDirect R&D and innovation by guiding research on emerging models, framing prototyping strategies (PoCs), and standardizing the tools and frameworks used to stay on the bleeding edge of Generative AI Requirements 5+ years of experience in a Lead, Principal, or Senior AI/Software Engineering role, with a track record of architecting and shipping complex, production-grade AI or ML-based solutionsAt least 1 year of relevant leadership experienceMaster-level proficiency in Python (specifically FastAPI or equivalent web frameworks) and a strong foundation in core NLP concepts (semantic similarity, tokenization, NER, text classification)Expertise in modern Generative AI design patterns, particularly RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), autonomous multi-agent networks, and tool integrationProduction experience with major LLM APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic, Bedrock, Gemini) and framework orchestration tools such as LangGraph or LlamaIndexBackground in optimizing AI applications for performance, security (prompt injection mitigation, data privacy), cloud costs, and system evaluation using programmatic or LLM-as-a-judge approachesCapability to quickly direct and build intuitive UI/UX prototypes using Streamlit, Gradio, or equivalentOutstanding leadership and communication skills to lead engineering discussions, bridge the gap between technical and non-technical audiences, and present technical architectures to executives and clientsStrong English communication skills (B2 level or higher) Nice to have Full-stack capabilities with TypeScriptExperience incorporating AI into the SDLC to boost team efficiency using tools like GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or specialized agents for automationCloud architecture expertise in AWS or Azure (specifically Azure OpenAI, AWS Bedrock, or cloud-native containerized deployments)Familiarity with Databricks (MLflow, Agent Bricks, Unity Catalog) for orchestrating data pipelines and model lifecyclesKnowledge of advanced search/retrieval systems (hybrid search, vector databases, custom rerankers and ranking algorithms)Familiarity with emerging open-source protocols (like Model Context Protocol - MCP) and LLM monitoring tools (like LangSmith or Arize Phoenix) We offer We connect like-minded people:Delivering innovative solutions to industry leaders, making a global impactEnjoyable working environment, whether it is the vibrant office or the comfort of your own homeOpportunity to work abroad for up to two months per yearRelocation opportunities within our offices in 55+ countriesCorporate and social eventsWe invest in your growth:Leadership development, career advising, soft skills and well-being programsCertifications, including GCP, Azure and AWSUnlimited access to EPAM's internal learning databaseFree English classes with certified teachersWe cover it all:Monetary bonuses for engaging in the referral programMedical & family care packageSix trust days per year (sick leave without a medical certificate)Coverage of psychology sessions of your choiceDiscounts for fitness clubs and sports programsBenefits package (sports activities, a variety of stores and services) Experience the freedom of remote work from anywhere in Kyrgyzstan, whether it's the comfort of your home or our modern office in Bishkek. EPAM Kyrgyzstan is a team of technologists and innovators united by a passion for technology. In 2022, we opened our first office in Bishkek that works with the world's leading companies across many different industries. EPAM builds a continuously learning organization and helps its employees reach their full potential and achieve their professional goals through learning. Our agile methodologies, client collaboration frameworks, engineering excellence programs, and hybrid teams offer many career paths and development opportunities.